Sports Facts for Kids
Fun facts from the world of sports
Octopush (another name for underwater hockey) is so popular in Australia and New Zealand that both countries regularly compete at World Championships. Masks, fins, and a snorkel are worn, but no breathing apparatus — all the action happens while holding your breath.
In 1966, Roberta Gibb became the first woman to run the entire Boston Marathon by hiding in a bush near the start line and joining the race in disguise, as women were not officially allowed to enter. The following year, Kathrine Switzer officially registered and was attacked by a race official who tried to pull her off the course but failed.
British athlete Jonathan Edwards set the triple jump world record of 18.29 metres at the 1995 World Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden — breaking his own record of 18.16 metres set just 20 minutes earlier in the same competition. The record has stood for over 30 years and Edwards went on to win Olympic gold at the 2000 Sydney Games.